This semester, for the first time, the Homewood Arts Programs is offering free, semester long, non-credit courses in both contemporary modern dance and ballet. Both classes utilize the Caplan Studio in the Mattin Center.
The ballet classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, while the modern dance classes take place on Wednesday and Friday. Both the modern dance and ballet classes are open to all students affiliated with the University, with priority given to undergraduates.
In addition to the teachers, Marilyn Byers and Lisa Green-Cudek, members of the Modern Dance and Ballet Companies assist in facilitating the classes.
The mixed-level classes are a way for students to either try dance for the first time or pick it up at any level. Upper level classes are taught by students on Tuesday and Thursdays evenings.
There are currently 18 dance groups on campus, and all but the Modern Dance Company are student-run.
Byers has been at Hopkins since 1981. She currently serves as the artistic director of modern dance and runs the Modern Dance Company. Green-Cudek has been at Hopkins for seven years and is also on the faculty of the Peabody Conservatory, as well as nearby Loyola University.
In the past, the largest challenges force dance groups at Hopkins included a lack of adequate studio space and finances. However, this has since changed under the leadership of Eric Beatty, who joined the University as the director of the Homewood Arts Programs in 2000.
The Caplan studio is about 10 years old. Before, dancers performed in any available space on campus, including the Glass Pavilion and the Great Hall in Levering Hall.
“This is a beautiful, wonderful facility,” Green-Cudek said of the Caplan Studio.
Two alumni put together a grant to make the classes free for students affiliated with the University.
“President Daniels has recognized the importance of the arts here at Hopkins. He set aside some money for us, and we are very thankful,” Byers said.
Last year, Beatty appropriated funds for a possible two-level class structure. This would allow for Byers and Green-Cudek to tailor their teaching to the level of their students.
There is currently no major or minor in dance offered at Hopkins. Green-Cudek is working on a proposal that would incorporate the history of dance, dance culture and studio time.
The co-presidents of the Modern Dance Company, Michelle Ploch and Emelie Modalen, and President of the Ballet Company Sarah Goodman stressed the importance of dance.
“I would say the best part about dancing at Hopkins is the opportunity to leave all of your stresses at the door and to do something for the pure fun of it. I think that dancing allows students to enter into a world of wonder and imagination where they can relax and just enjoy watching a story unfold,” Goodman said.
“Dance is more than an exercise or physical facility. It is a different kind of thinking that encourages people to see outside the box,” Ploch said.
The class philosophy says to leave any and all judgmental voices at the door. Students should be forgiving of themselves and not try to force change.
“Dance is an opportunity to fail without being penalized or criticized,” Modalen said.
“My favorite part is that it is something I’ve never gotten to do before, and the combination of the room and the music is very calming and fun,” freshman Elizabeth Moriarty said.
“Dance is a form of mind-body self-discipline. It is incredibly valuable to the individual,” Green-Cudek said.
Green-Cudek began dancing at age 12 after seeing the Australian Ballet perform in Baltimore. This is considered late to start classical training, but she went on to study at the Washington School of Ballet before going on to teach nevertheless.
Byers’ parents were religiously opposed to dance, so she became a dance major in college without any previous experience.
Both teachers stressed that students of all levels and abilities are welcome in class.
There are more options for dance at Hopkins besides Ballet and Modern. There is significant overlap between the 18 groups on campus, which include the Lady Birds, JOSH Fusion Dance and Shakti.
“There is a real appetite on campus to be in the body, to be in the flow,” Green-Cudek said.
Many of the concerts on campus are collaborative efforts between multiple groups.
There is a choreographer’s showcase coming up on March 29 at Peabody and a Modern Dance Company performance on April 5.
